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More I Corinthians commentaries

I Corinthians 8:1-6
Love Is More Important than Knowledge

I Corinthians 8:7-13
Be sensitive to conscience

I Corinthians 9:1-10
The Pattern of Self-Denial

I Corinthians 9:11-18
Paul Surrenders His Rights

I Corinthians 9:19-23
Being a Servant To All Men

I Corinthians 9:24-27
Dealing with Christian liberty

I Corinthians 10:1-5
The Dangers of Overconfidence

I Corinthians 10:6-13
God Will Help You Resist Temptation

I Corinthians 10:14-22
Eating Meat Offered to Idols

I Corinthians 10:23-33
Principles that Govern Christian Liberty

I Corinthians 11:1-16
Head Covering in the Church

I Corinthians 11:17-22
Conduct surrounding the Love Feasts

I Corinthians 11:23-34
Conduct surrounding the Lord’s Supper

I Corinthians 12:1-11
Speaking Various Languages

I Corinthians 12:12-26
Spiritual Gifts that Unite

I Corinthians 12:27-31
God Assigns Spiritual Gifts

I Corinthians 13:1-13
Qualities of the Greatest Gift

I Corinthians 14:1-9
Preoccupation with Tongues

I Corinthians 14:10-17
Tongues Must Be Interpreted

I Corinthians 14:18-25
Tongues a Sign to Unbelievers

I Corinthians 14:26-40
Instructions for Tongues Speakers

Conduct surrounding the Lord’s Supper

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I Corinthians 11:23–34
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)

A boy was crossing the road on his bike when a car came roaring over the hill, and he was run over and killed. His dad picked up the mangled, twisted bike, and sobbed out loud for the first time in his life. He carried it to the barn and placed it in a spot seldom used. His terri … More

Lord's Supper

This passage reveals teaching concerning the Lord’s Supper. Jesus Christ took the cup and the loaf, the ingredients of a common meal in that day, and transformed them into a meaningful spiritural experience for believers. It will give us an opportunity for spiritual growth and blessings if we approach it in the right attitude. It is a serious thing if we receive it in a careless manner. What then must we do if it is to bring blessing and not chastening?

  1. We should look back (vv. 23-26a). We must remember that Jesus died for our sins as a substitute (Isa. 53:6). He died willingly showing forth His love for us (Rom. 5:6). However, this remembering is not simply the recalling of historical facts, but a participation in spiritual realities. We have fellowship with a living savior as our hearts reach out by faith.
  2. We should look ahead (v. 26b). We are to observe the Lord’s Supper "till He comes.” The return of Jesus Christ is our blessed hope. Jesus not only died for us, but He arose again and ascended to heaven; and one day He shall return to take us to heaven.
  3. We should look within (vv 27-32). - Paul did not say that we had to be worthy to partake of the Lord’s Supper, but only that we should partake in a worthy manner. In order to participate in a worthy manner, we must judge our own sins, and confess them to the Lord.
  4. We should look around (vv. 33-34). - The Lord’s Supper should be a demonstration of the unity of the church and not a time to look around in order to criticize other believers. It is a family meal, and the Lord of the family desires that His children love one another and care for one another (I Cor. 10:17). That is why we wait and partake in a unified manner.

Application

Awareness of my sin should never keep me away from the communion table but instead it should drive me to participate.

I Corinthians 11:23-34 (English Standard Version)

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another-- if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home--so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.

View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway) »

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